Havant strength in depth to fore in cup charge

In a wind-affected tie, it was the visitors who adapted better and ran out comfortable winners.

The London one south outfit will now meet London two south west opponents Winchester in the final.

Head coach Will Knight was happy to see his Havant side make it a hat-trick of victories over their rivals this season.

He was particularly pleased with his outfit’s strength in depth.

‘We only fielded four players who started in our last league game,’ said Knight.

‘Players who have made the step up into the senior side this season have done well.

‘This is the first time we have done it on such a big scale, though.

‘None of the players coming in looked out of place and made the systems work seamlessly.

‘This is the strength in depth we will need as the club looks to move forward.’

Gosport & Fareham – with a strong wind behind them – opened up with a couple of Wayne Dugan penalties.

The visitors, though, using the ploy of keeping the ball in the hands, hit back with two tries.

Number eight Joe Davis picked up at the base of a five-metre scrum to crash over and open Havant’s account

Hooker Charlie Wright then celebrated his senior debut with a try.

However, it was the hosts who went in 13-12 ahead at the break following a converted Tim Snowden score.

‘We should have had at least 10 more points on the board because we butchered a couple of good opportunities,’ said Gosport & Fareham head coach Barry Bridgman.

‘It all went wrong for us in the second half when we found it difficult to sustain our levels. Conceding a try in the first minute after the restart didn’t help.

‘Heads went down a bit then but we kept going to the end.

‘Once again we suffered by conceding quick tries – three in the space of eight minutes.

‘Havant are a good side and – unlike us – they had a strong bench which they could use and that took its toll on us.’

The visitors blitzed their hosts in the second 40 minutes.

Scott Morris got the ball rolling with a try immediately at the start of the second period and this was quickly followed by another from Jay Wilks.

Number eight Dan Munden scored a great individual try – outflanking the home defence from halfway.

The procession to the Gosport line continued with a Joel Knight try and a penalty try.

Davis rounded the rout off with his second of the afternoon.

‘In the end we proved too powerful,’ added Will Knight.